Clothesline prop



1949- J. E. WENZEL CLOTHESLINE PROP 6 4 9 l 2 h C r a M d e l i FInventor Patented Nov. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTHESLINEPROP John E. Wenzel, Erie, Pa. Application March 2, 1946, Serial No.651,530 2 Claims. (01. 248-353) There is disclosed in the followingspecification and the drawings accompanying the same and forming a partof this application for patent, an invention the primary purpose ofwhich is to provide a practical, inexpensive and convenient means forattaching a prop to a clothesline and holding the same against lateralor transverse movement.

This invention has for another object to provide a sectional clotheslineprop.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a clotheslineprop means for holding its ground engaging end against movement andagainst sinking too deep into the ground.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying illustrative drawings inwhich:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional elevational view thereof,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modification,

Figure 4 is a sectional elevational view thereof,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is an elevational view of another modification, and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of still another modification of thisline engaging member.

While one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the abovereferred to drawings, it is to be understood that they are merely forthe purpose of illustration and that various changes in construction maybe resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the inventionmay be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances whichmay arise, without in any way departing from the spirit and intention ofthe device which is to be limited only in accordance with the appendedclaims. And while there is stated the primary field of utility of theinvention it remains obvious that it may be employed in any othercapacity wherein it may be found applicable.

The structure consists of a line holding device II, and a prop I2 formedof sections [3 and I4, the ends l5 and N5 of which are preferably slipjointed by means of female and male members I1 and 18. The lower end IQof section l4 terminates in a point 20 for jabbing into the ground toprevent movement thereof and to the upper part 2| of said point issecured a washer like disk 22 by means of a pin 23 or otherwise wherebythe pole may not sink too far down in soft ground.

The hook II is preferably cast with a semicircular head end 24vertically extending into which is a tongue 25 between which and theneck 26 of the head 24 a line 21 is adapted to be wedged by raising upupon the prop or pole l2 until the line is so wedged that the hookcannot slide one way or the other along the line. The line is easilyguided into the wedge cavity 23 by laying the tongue 25 upon the lineand drawing down slightly to let the rope slip into said cavity. Thecylindrical stem or body 29 0f the hook is provided with spaced annulargrooves 30 and 3| into which the upper end 32 of prop section I2 isbeaded as indicated at 33 and 34 whereby the member I I is secured tomember l3.

In Figures 3 to 5 is shown a modification of the invention in which thehook 35 is formed of wire which starting at the lower end 36 runs up andthen down to form an inverted U-shaped tongue 31 from the lower end 38of arm 39 of which the wire is again turned up to form one arm 40 of thesemi-circular hook M, the returned side 42 of which is extended down asat 43 to parallel arm 40 on one angle and arm 44 of the U-member 31 toform a parallelagram of the said four spaced arms 39, 40, 43, and 44.Between these arms is seated a spacer member 45 of cross shape in crosssection, the arms 46, 41, 48, and 49 of which are adapted to hold thesaid parallel arms rigid with the socket end 50 of pole section 5|.

The lower portion 52 with the device 45 is secured in the said socketend 50 by means of cut cuts 53 and 54 in the edges 55 of each arm 46 to49 of said device by means of the socket beads 56 and 51 seating in thecut outs.

In Figure 6 of the drawings is provided a single wire loop 58, the stem59 of which is returned upon itself to form shank members 60 and 6|,clamped between the walls 62 and 63 of the prop member 64.

In Figure 7 is disclosed a still further modification which consists ofhead 65 similar in form to that of member II, but the stem 66 of whichhead extends down to form a shank 61 which is returned upon itself as at68 and extends up into the space 69 to form a tongue 10. The edges H and12 of the members 61 and 68 are notched at 13 and 14 for retainers forthe beads such as 33 and 34.

From the foregoing specification it will become apparent that theinvention disclosed will adequately accomplish the functions for whichit has been designed and in an economical manner and that itssimplicity, accuracy and ease of operation are such as to provide arelatively in- 3 expensive device considering what it will accomplishand that it will find an important place in the art to which itappertains when once placed on the market.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the inventionafter considering the description in connection with the drawings.Therefore, a more lengthy descriptionsis regarded. as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size and'rearrangement of details and parts such ascome within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to, inactual practice, if desired.

Having now described the invention that which is claimed to be new anddesired to be'"procured by Letters Patent is:

1. The described device comprisin aclothesline prop comprisingdetachably connected, a conic point on the terminal of one section, a-.line=- engaginguhook'on the other section, =said chookzhaving'a wedge"shaped socketifor theline, :meansifor guiding the line secured to thesocket, :ameans %'-for limiting :the 1' movement tinto the;'ground,:=said :hook being formed of wire with a seriesi of 'spaced*parallel arms, means for holduing the.=.arms-rigidwithloneendofitheprop; and

said last means ..being a; cross-shaped spacer.

2; The described device comprising a clothesline prop comprisindetachably connected, a conic point on the terminal of one section, aline engaging hook on the other section, said hook having a wedge shapedsocket for the line, means for guiding the line secured to the socket,means for limiting the movement into the ground, said hook being formedof wire with a series of spaced parallel arms, and means for holding thearms rigid-withroneaerid of thesprpp.

REFERENCES CITED i The 'fbllowing references are of record in theti-fi-lesofnthis patent:

UNITEDBTATES PATENTS Number Name Date 6731235 Bouldry Apr. 30, 1901973,666 Jones Oct. 25, 1910 X 3,1541%4 I Leyson "Sept.-'28,'" 19151*,349i325 F' Davis '-Aug.-10, 1920 i 1,374,609 Schell "-Apr.= 12, 19211578i334 McReynolds Mar.'30,- 19,26 11 7313382 Knoth "0ct. 15, 1929223242 609 -Hammar -JMay: 20,- 1941

